Online Obituaries

Benjamin B. "Ben" Barickman

February 10, 1925 - February 06, 2013

Benjamin B. "Ben" Barickman, age 87, a Naperville, IL resident since 1993, formerly of Dixon and Downers Grove, IL, passed away Wednesday, February 6, 2013 at Edward Hospital in Naperville, IL. He was born February 10, 1925 in Decatur, IL.

Beloved husband of the late Esther (nee Engle) Barickman and the late Mary (nee Palmer) Dreyer, loving father of Michael T. (Kathleen L. Zion) Barickman of Oxford, OH, Deborah (Bill McCullick) Barickman of Columbus, OH and Peter J. (Betty Watanabe) Barickman of Geneva, IL, adored grandfather of Alexander, Evan and Makena Barickman, devoted son of the late Ray Willis and Doris (nee Reeve) Barickman, dear brother of Ray Willis (Carol) Barickman, Jr. of Long Point, IL, special brother-in-law of Martha (Florian) Centko of Streator, IL and Jean (the late Edward) Engle of Plymouth, IN fond uncle of many.

Ben grew up in a farming family, moving between Minnesota and Livingston County, IL and graduating from Cornell High School, Cornell, IL. He served as an aviation crew chief/mechanic with the U.S. Marine Corps in the Pacific theater during World War II, taking part in the occupation of China at the conclusion of the war. After the war, Ben received undergraduate and graduate degrees in forestry from Michigan State University in East Lansing and went on to work for Commonwealth Edison for over 40 years, retiring in 1990. Ben attended Grace United Methodist Church in Naperville and enjoyed gardening, golf, travel and, most of all, spending time with his family.